Distortion of European history and remembrance of the Second World War (topical debate)

Andrius Kubilius (PPE). – Madam President, today’s issue is not about our understanding of history. We know very well our history and the tragedies of our history which were brought about also by Stalin. Today, we are having this debate because we were very much surprised by the recent performance of Mr Putin, by his Soviet-type propaganda attack on real history, by his strange attempts to convince everyone that Poland was guilty by itself, that Hitler and Stalin divided her and occupied her. Today we’re standing together for the defence of the true history of Europe and we are standing together with Poland against this Kremlin propaganda attack.

I will end with a very simple statement. Mr Putin, you will not succeed in your attempts to divide Europe on the history issue. We are standing for the truth because truth makes you free, and that is the strength of Europe. We would like to wish the same sense of real truth and freedom upon the ordinary Russian people. The history lesson is very simple: the truth, in the end, wins. It will win also in Russia – I hope soon.